[Osteoporosis detection using cone-beam computed tomography]

Osteoporosis is still underdiagnosed in Germany.

Is it possible to detect osteoporosis on the basis of a cone-beam computed tomography image of the mandible and several measuring methods?

Sixteen cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from patients of the dental clinic at the University of Ulm were reinvestigated. When the CBCT images were processed the subjects were at least 55 years old, and the mandible was completely mapped on the image. Furthermore, a dual-energy X‑ray absorptiometry scan or a CT bone mineral density test was required for every subject. The subjects were divided into an osteoporosis group and a control group. The computed tomography mental index (CTMI), the computed tomography mandibular index superior (CTI[S]) and the computed tomography mandibular index inferior (CTI[I]) were deployed for comparison of the groups. In the first instance a comparison of the osteoporosis and control groups was made for both male and female subjects. Subsequently, only the images of the female subjects were compared to each other.

A possibility for osteoporosis can be expressed at CTMI values located < 3.0 mm. As well for CTI(S) < 0.18 and CTI(I) < 0.23. There arises a 66.7 % sensitivity and 70 % specificity for the mixed subject group and an 80 % sensitivity and 57.1 % specificity for the female subject group for CTMI and CTI(S). Furthermore, there are 50.0 % sensitivity and 70 % specificity for the mixed subject group and 60.0 % sensitivity and 57.1 % specificity for the female subject group for the CTI(I).

CTMI, CTI(S) and CTI(I) are only suitable for osteoporosis detection to a limited extent.